A HISTORY OF EARLY BASEBALL PLAYING 1857-1876 GOLDSTEIN PLAYING FOR KEEPS 1857-1876 WARREN GOLDSTEIN BY BARNES AND NOBLE It seems that baseball fans have always lamented the good old days. In a History of Early Baseball, historian Warren Goldstein goes back to the game’s very beginnings and examines the critical period of its development: from 1857 to 1876. In this short time span, baseball transformed itself from a club based fraternal activity enjoyed by middle class artisans, clerks, and shopkeepers into a business venture run by enterprising owners and managers . It became inextricably linked to skilled players – and to box office receipts . This book traces key developments in the sport – including the hot debates over particular rules of play; the emergence of revolvers players who moved from club to club in search of uniforms, statistics, set schedules, and admission prices; the rise of the Cincinnati Red Stockings (hailed as the first all professional club) and the watershed founding of the National League in 1876. Fans of modern day baseball – and those interested in the cultural landscape of nineteenth century America will find this work a rich history of baseball’s earliest days. CONTENTS THE CLTURE OF ORGANIZED BASEBALL 1857 - 1866 THE BASE BALL FRATERNITY EXCITEMENT AND SELF CONTROL THE MANLY PATIME AMETEURS INTO PROFESSIONALS 1866 – 1876 GROWTH, DIVISION AND DISORDER REVOLVING AND PROFESSIONALISM THE NATIONAL GAME AMATEURS IN REBELLION PROFESSIONAL LEAGUES AND THE BASEBALL WORKPLACE This book is in excellent condition. There are no tears or marks and the binding is tight. This book measures 9 ½ by 6 ½ with 182 pages and a shipping weight of 2 lbs